Waterfall Wednesdays Read-Along: Chapters 1 - 6

The Waterfall Wednesdays Read-Along is the brainchild of Tina's Book Reviews, Edgy Inspirational Romance, Irresistible Reads, Supernatural Snark, and The Unread Reader.
If you've read Waterfall, it is a great chance to discuss what you loved. If you haven't read Waterfall, it is my hope we convince you to. Click here to learn more and sign up.

Question 1: Waterfall opens with the introduction of Gabi, shes depressed, a little angry and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. Are you connecting with her this soon in the novel?
Do you see things you like or dislike?

I liked Gabi from the start. I wanted to slap her for not enjoying Italy the way I would have, but that quickly passed. She's brave and smart.

Question 2: Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th Century Italy - The Dark Ages in its prime.
Is there anytime in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?

I have dreamed of having access to a time machine ever since Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989). My first choice would be New York City during the roaring twenties. I want to dance the night away in a red flapper dress. My second choice would be the late forties. I am obsessed with forties fashion.

Question 3: Most of the men, including Marcello have a very set opinion about a woman's place. Gabi gets manhandled a bit in these first few chapters, and even gets asked if shes a witch. The men are shocked when Gabi rides a horse like a man and shimmies down the castle walls. What do you think of mens mentality back then?
Gentlemanly, chauvinistic, simple-minded?

It was the time. For a modern-day woman it would be frustrating. But I also think I would find it extremely gentlemanly.

Question 4: When Gabi becomes a part of this era, the people are immediately intrigued but suspicious of her. Many judge her by her difference. Do you think this is fair? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider or that others were misjudging you?

People will always be slightly afraid of things that are different at first. Fair? No. Understandable? Yes. Has it happened to me? Sure. But it's part of life and dealing with people. Plus, the older I get the more I relish being the different one.

Question 5: What do think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages?
What would be the worst?

Coolest: Getting dressed up for huge lavish dinners and roaming the castle. I have always dreamed of seeing and exploring a castle.

Worst: I could live with baths. I would enjoy having someone take care of me and even help me dress. But the no toilet thing would make me crazy. The bad breath would be horrendous. And the no medical care would scare the shapoopy out of me.

Eureka! Bookcase Bridal Arch

I am SO enamored with this vintage book themed bridal shoot, that I had to share it with you!

I would never have thought of the gorgeous bookcase arch.
Isn't it beyond lovely? Oh and the table decor, just as cute!
Go see for yourself at Library Themed Wedding Shoot at JessicaClaire.net.

Review Worshipping: Matched

2¢ Worth: Matched is a quiet book. One that evolves mostly around a girl in a futuristic dystopian society who for all intents and purposes (as the cover alludes to) lives in a bubble. A bubble she has never questioned. But one small pinprick in that bubble leads the girl to question everything she has so easily accepted her whole life.

Why the pills? Why is their food and exercise controlled?

Why is technology kept to a minimum? Why must everyone die at 80?

Why are there only 100 poems? Why does no one create any more?

Slowly these questions ignite a quiet fire, a restless hunger, and an uncontrollable tremble between the girl and the boy who shouldn't be. With every inch of mounting tension, Matched crawled under my skin and left me breathless. I can not wait to know more. Hurry Crossed hurry! 5 stars

Wrinkles: Some say, the world building lacks in this story. I have faith that as Cassia strikes out on her own, we will learn more about life outside her bubble.

What's what: Matched sat on my TBR shelf for quite some time. Until the sweet and sassy Tipsy Reader perfectly matched Promises (by Nero) to Matched. The moment I watched this video, I dropped everything I was doing, snatched Matched off my shelf, and started reading. Want to see what sparked me? Head over to YouTube and watch Promises by Nero.

Thank you to A BookLover's Diary for making this review possible
and Tipsy Reader for showing me Promises on Musical Monday.

Click here to read some teasers from Matched.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Wee-view: Elixir

2¢ Worth: The first twenty pages of Elixir are slow. But then it evolves into mysterious dreams of reincarnation with a gorgeous strange Jason Bourne like hottie that spirals into an exciting race to unravel the Shakespearean like tragedy that is Clea, Sage, and Ben. The writing is at times awkward but the story and the tangled weave of deciphering the truth from fiction and the past from the present is excellent. Overall, Hilary needs to evolve a bit as a writer but she scores mega points with me on concept. The result is a nail biting, 3 star read with a mega cliffhanger.

Whippersnappers: Expect sex and murder.

Wrapping: While the floral cover is pretty, this one fits the story better, holds an air of mystery, and manages a little foreshadowing.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Contest Winner!

It's winner time! The winner of my birthdayversary contest is: Nina at J'adore Happy Endings! Congratulations sweet Nina!! I will be contacting you via email for your mailing address and to find out what book you have selected. To all my darlings that did not win: thank you SO much for all the amazing birthday wishes, entries, and visits. *group hug* You gals helped make my day special!

The winner was selected with help from Random.org.

Wee-view: Dark Mirror

2¢ Worth: The Dark Mirror started strong and lovely. I found it quickly engaging. Teen British aristocrats who show show magical abilities are sent away to have their distasteful mage ways corrected. Some of the teens unite in secret sessions to learn their powers, explore their potential, and discuss how they can aide England from Napoleon's impending attacks. But then the book takes a sharp unexpected turn from the verge of war in 1803 to war-torn 1940. The shift felt sudden, unnatural, and blocked. While I relished 1803, I could have done without 1940. The magic parts that had previously been flowing ended with the time travel. After that everything felt wonky. 2 stars

Whippersnappers: Clean.

Word to the wise: Grab this one from the library first.

What's what:

• Book Two, Dark Passage, is due out September 13th.
• The series prequel, Fallen From Grace, is currently available for FREE for the Kindle on Amazon.com. Click here to visit Fallen from Grace on Amazon.com.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Contest: Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to me!

Happy birthday to me!

Happy birthday me & Tales of Whimsy!

Happy birthday to me!

So today is my 35th birthday and my sweet Tales of Whimsy... turned two at the end of June (but I was moving at the time) so it is finally time celebrate with a contest for you my precious followers. One week from today (August 21st) I will pick a winner to receive the book of their choice (up to $15) from the BookDepository.com.

Rules:

Must be a follower

Must comment with your email address

Must reside in one of the 100+ countries the BookDepository offers free shipping to.

Contest ends August 21st

Good luck darlings!

*Please imagine we're all drinking and toasting fizzy pink drinks or frosty pink martinis and listening to "No Hay Problema" by Pink Martini.*

News Flash: Is that you Emily Windsnap?

Want to feel like a kid again? Watch these Clorox commercials. They are both marvelous. The mermaids at school make me think of the Emily Windsnap series. Click here to read my review of: Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep.

Yackety-yak: Let's Talk Trilogies

I have a confession. Trilogies are starting to bug me. The problem is by the time the next book comes out, I feel as though the details of the previous book have gotten fuzzy. Especially with those that pick up exactly where the previous one left off. My reviews don't help because I aim to keep them spoiler free with minimal plot reveals. It makes me wish books came with a "Previously..." recap similar to what the TV networks do at the beginning of new TV seasons. So you know what I'm thinking? I am seriously considering trying to avoid trilogies until all 3 books are out and I know I can jump to the next book. Huge huh?

Has this ever happened to you? What do you think of trilogies?

Wee-view: When You Reach Me

2¢ Worth: When You Reach Me (by Rebecca Stead) is an engrossing Middle-Grade mystery about a twelve-year-old girl (in 1978) who begins to receive cryptic notes from the future. As the mystery subtly unravels the girl learns about friendship, kindness, and the possibility that the time travel mentioned in her favorite book may be more than just science fiction. The ending is excellent and I consider it an instant classic I would recommend to any girl. When You Reach Me is a 5-star fresh take on time travel that pays homage to a Wrinkle in Time, makes you think, and feels incredibly contemporary.

Whisper: I believe the message is in the homeless man. He holds a secret and seems to remind children to have compassion and remember ever homeless person has a past and a story.

Whippersnappers: Minor mentions to nudity and the word "hell" is used once.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Wee-view: Torment

The good = Luce gets some backbone

The bad = No questions answered

The lovely = Miles

2¢ Worth: Despite the fact that Torment takes it's time, it was nice to see Luce actually questioning her future and past with Daniel. She feels more empowered and less desperate in Torment. The most enjoyable aspect of this story is without a doubt Miles. Finally a sweet, kind, loving, fun guy shows Luce there is more to life than the morose Daniel. I look forward to seeing what happens to Miles. 3 stars

Whippersnappers: A few profanities and some definite line blurring between the angels and demons.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Click here to read my review of Fallen the predecessor to Torment.

Thanks you Elie of Ellz Readz for making this review possible.

Wee-view: Mercy

2¢ Worth: Laurie Faria Stolarz called Mercy by Rebecca Lim, "A modern day Quantum Leap with angels". I could not agree more. This story starts with a fallen angel (named Mercy) bouncing into a new body and then helping the hot (emotionally distant) Ryan race against the clock to solve the case of his missing choir girl twin sister. But then it evolves into something enigmatic, dark, and mysterious with mounting tension, danger, and a twisted ending that left me wanting more for and from Mercy. 4 stars

Whine: While Mercy herself fascinated me, it took me awhile to connect with her. Oh and why oh why didn't she just kiss Ryan? Grrrr!

Whippersnappers: Profanity and mentions to sex, abuse, and rape.

Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com

Well Said: Bones, Dreams, Rage

"Nothing I have written or done has made any difference in this world, and suddenly I know what it means to rage, and to crave."

"That's how I know they are dreams. Because the simple and plain and everyday things are the ones that we can never have."

"They have perfected the art of giving us just enough freedom; just enough that when we are ready to snap, a little bone is offered and we roll over, belly up, comfortable and placated like a dog I saw once when we visited my grandparents in the Farmlands. They've had decades to perfect this; why am I surprised when it works on me again and again and again?" ~Matched by Ally Condie

Can you tell I fell in love with Matched? November 1st (the release date of book 2 Crossed) can not come soon enough. So it is Crossed (by Ally Condie) that I can not stop craving and anticipating this Wednesday. Hurry November!

Review of Matched coming soon.

Yackety-yak: To Be or Not to Be?

Jillian at Random Ramblings got me thinking this morning....

Do you like when the book bloggers you follow stick to books or occasionally get personal?

I use to think my answer to that question was strictly books. But I've noticed that I really appreciate those personal posts. I may pass on a book review but I rarely pass on a quick personal or opinion post. So tell me darlings, what do you think?